South Bank

When in London, do not forget to spend at least a couple of hours strolling along the South Bank riverside. South Bank rises on the southern curve of the river Thames. It is on Covent Garden’s opposite shore that you will find London’s “Entertainment Centre”. The Old Vic, the Young Vic, the British Airways London Eye (the world’s largest observation wheel, which takes half an hour to make a full rotation), the Florence Nightingale Museum, the County Hall Gallery (with permanent exhibitions of Dalì, Picasso and Azam), the National Theatre and a replica of Sir Frances Drake’s Galleon (the only one that has completed a circumnavigation of the globe) are all attractions that lure visitors in this bustling area. Nearby, 3 floors of galleries (with shops and cafés for a well deserved break) exhibiting modern and contemporary art await (with free entry) Londoners and tourists: it is the Tate Modern. What once housed the Bank side Power Station is today a cathedral of modern art. Four classic themes have been selected: landscape, still life, history painting and nude. Close to the Tate Modern you will find Shakespeare’s Globe, a perfect replica of the theatres were the Bard’s plays were acted in the XVII century (you will be able to see plays in the Globe from May till September). South Bank prospered after the Festival of Britain that was held here in 1951. Since then South Bank underwent an incredible development and, up today, is the most rapidly evolving district in The City of London. South Bank is also a great place where to stay in London. Many of the hotels in the area of South Bank offer great accommodations at reasonable prices, try the rooms that look over The Thames, you will enjoy a terrific view over The City of London!

View from the Hayward Gallery roof
by jonahjones

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